Article and photos by Carol Ireland, White Clay Bicycle Club President

A “full house” of Delaware elected officials was present on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 1) to announce $4.2 million in federal and state funding to begin construction of the recreational trail along the C&D Canal. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, Representative John Carney, Governor Jack Markell, Secretary Collin 0’Mara (DNREC) and Secretary Shailen Bhatt (DelDOT) as well as former Delaware Congressman Mike Castle, Colonel Secrist (Army Corp of Engineers) and a representative of the Federal Highway Administration were all on hand to celebrate. It looks like this valuable facility for Delaware bicyclists and pedestrians as well as visitors to the state is going to become a reality, many years after Mike Castle started promoting the project. Construction will begin in the spring of 2012, along the north side of the canal, starting at Delaware City. The map of the entire 14 mile trail can be viewed/downloaded HERE.